Systems and methods for moving wetted seed through a grow pod system

ABSTRACT

A method for pumping seeds to an assembly line grow pods includes releasing seeds to a pipe in fluid communication with a pump, moving water from a water source to the pipe in fluid communication with the pump, combining the seeds released from the tank with the water from the water source in the pipe, and pumping the combination of the seeds released from the tank and the water from the water source to a grow pod line in fluid communication with the pump, and moving the seeds from the grow pod line to one or more carts of an assembly line grow pod.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Patent ApplicationPCT/US2019/15889, filed Jan. 30, 2019 and entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODSFOR MOVING WETTED SEED THROUGH A GROW POD SYSTEM,” which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments described herein generally relate to systems and methods forgerminating seeds and, more specifically, to systems and methods formoving wetted seed through a grow pod system.

BACKGROUND

While crop growth technologies have advanced over the years, there arestill many problems in the farming and crop industry. As an example,while technological advances have increased efficiency and production ofvarious crops, many factors may affect a harvest, such as weather,disease, infestation, and the like. Additionally, while the UnitedStates currently has suitable farmland to adequately provide food forits population, other countries and future populations may not haveenough farmland to provide the appropriate amount of food.

Controlled environment growing systems may mitigate the factorsaffecting traditional harvests. However, the germination process inconventional controlled environment growing systems may be timeconsuming and may reduce the efficiency of conventional controlledenvironment growing systems. Accordingly, a need exists for improvedgermination systems for use with controlled environment growing systems.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a method for pumping seeds to an assembly line growpod includes releasing seeds to a pipe in fluid communication with apump, moving water from a water source to the pipe in fluidcommunication with the pump, combining the seeds released from the tankwith the water from the water source in the pipe, and pumping thecombination of the seeds released from the tank and the water from thewater source to a grow pod line in fluid communication with the pump,and moving the seeds from the grow pod line to one or more carts of anassembly line grow pod.

In another embodiment, a method for moving germinated seeds to anassembly line grow pod includes germinating seeds within a tank,releasing the seeds from the tank to a pipe in fluid communication withthe tank and in fluid communication with a pump, moving water from awater source to the pipe in fluid communication with the pump, combiningthe seeds released from the tank with the water from the water source inthe pipe, pumping the combination of the seeds released from the tankand the water from the water source to a grow pod line in fluidcommunication with the pump, and moving the seeds from the grow pod lineto one or more carts of an assembly line grow pod.

In yet another embodiment, a system for an assembly line grow podincludes a germination hub including a tank, a tank water valve in fluidcommunication with the tank, where the tank water valve isrepositionable between a closed position and an open position, a watersource in selective fluid communication with the tank through the tankwater valve, a pump in selective fluid communication with the tank andthe water source, a water source valve positioned between the pump andthe water source, where the water source valve is repositionable betweenan open position and a closed position, and a tank outlet valvepositioned between the tank and the pump, where the tank outlet valve isrepositionable between an open position and a closed position, a podline in selective fluid communication with the germination hub, and acontroller communicatively coupled to the tank water valve, the pump,the water source valve, and the tank outlet valve, the controllerincluding a processor and a computer readable and executable instructionset, which when executed, causes the processor to direct the tank watervalve to move from the closed position to the open position, direct thepump to move water from the water source to the tank through the tankwater valve, wetting a first batch of seeds within the tank with thewater from the water source, initiating germination of the first batchof seeds, after a predetermined time, direct the tank outlet valve tomove from the closed position to the open position, releasing the firstbatch of seeds from the tank to the pump, direct the water source valveto move from the closed position, releasing water from the water sourceto the pump, and direct the pump to move the first batch of seeds to thepod line and the water from the water source to the pod line.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplaryin nature and not intended to limit the disclosure. The followingdetailed description of the illustrative embodiments can be understoodwhen read in conjunction with the following drawings, where likestructure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which:

FIG. 1 schematically depicts a germination hub in communication withmultiple assembly line grow pods, according to one or more embodimentsshown and described herein;

FIG. 2 schematically depicts an enlarged view of the germination hub ofFIG. 1, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 3 schematically depicts a top view of a tank of the germination hubof FIG. 1, according to one or more embodiments shown and describedherein;

FIG. 4 schematically depicts a valve diagram of the germination hub ofFIG. 1, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 5 schematically depicts the valve diagram of FIG. 4 moving water toan initial tank and a secondary tank of the germination hub, accordingto one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 6 schematically depicts the valve diagram of FIG. 4 draining waterfrom the initial tank and the secondary tank of the germination hub,according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 7 schematically depicts the valve diagram of FIG. 4 pumping seedsfrom the secondary tank, according to one or more embodiments shown anddescribed herein;

FIG. 8 schematically depicts the germination hub of FIG. 1 in fluidcommunication with a seeder assembly of an assembly line grow pod ofFIG. 1, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 9 schematically depicts a gantry of the seeder assembly of FIG. 8positioned over carts of the assembly line grow pod, according to one ormore embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 10 schematically a computing device of a controller of thegermination hub and the seeder assembly of FIG. 9, according to one ormore embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 11 schematically depicts a flowchart of an example method forgerminating a seed within the germination hub of FIG. 1, according toone or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 12 schematically depicts a flowchart of an example method formanaging the movement of wetted seeds from a tank is schematicallydepicted, according to one or more embodiments shown and describedherein; and

FIG. 13 schematically depicts a flowchart of an example method formoving wetted seeds is schematically depicted, according to one or moreembodiments shown and described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to germination systems forassembly line grow pods. In particular, the germination process inconventional controlled environment growing systems may be timeconsuming and may reduce the efficiency of conventional controlledenvironment growing systems. Embodiments described herein are directedto methods and systems for germinating seeds for use within multipleassembly line grow pods. Reference will now be made in detail toembodiments of methods and systems for germinating seeds, examples ofwhich are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible,the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings torefer to the same or like parts.

As used herein, the term “longitudinal direction” refers to theforward-rearward direction of components of the grow pod system (i.e.,in the +/−Y-direction depicted in FIG. 1). The term “lateral direction”refers to the cross-wise direction of components of the grow pod system(i.e., in the +/−X-direction depicted in FIG. 1), and is transverse tothe longitudinal direction. The term “vertical direction” refers to theupward-downward direction of components of the grow pod system (i.e., inthe +/−Z-direction depicted in FIG. 1).

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a grow pod system 10 is schematicallydepicted. The grow pod system 10 generally includes a germination hub100 in fluid communication with one or more assembly line grow pods 200.More particularly, the germination hub 100 may be connected to the oneor more assembly line grow pods 200 via one or more associated pod lines102. As described in greater detail herein, germinated seeds may bemoved from the germination hub 100 to the one or more assembly line growpods 200 through the pod lines 102. While the embodiment depicted inFIG. 1 shows the germination hub 100 connected to four assembly linegrow pods 200, it should be understood that the germination hub 100 maybe connected to any suitable number of assembly line grow pods 200 andmay, in some embodiments, be connected to a single assembly line growpod 200.

In embodiments, each assembly line grow pod 200 may a track 203 that isconfigured to allow one or more carts to travel along the track 203. Inthe embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, each of the assembly line grow pods200 includes an ascending portion 202 a, a descending portion 202 b, anda connection portion 202 c positioned between the ascending portion 202a and the descending portion 202 b. The track 203 at the ascendingportion 202 a moves upward in a vertical direction (i.e., in the+Z-direction as depicted in the coordinate axes of FIG. 1), such thatcarts moving along the track 203 move upward in the vertical directionas they travel along the ascending portion 202 a. The track 203 at theascending portion 202 a may include curvature as depicted in FIG. 2, andmay wrap around a first axis that is generally parallel to the Z-axisdepicted in the coordinate axes of FIG. 1, forming a spiral shape aroundthe first axis. The connection portion 202 c is positioned between theascending portion 202 a and the descending portion 202 b, and may berelatively level as compared to the ascending portion 202 a and thedescending portion 202 b, such that the track 203 generally does notmove upward or downward in the vertical direction at the connectionportion 202 c. The track 203 at the descending portion 202 b movesdownward in the vertical direction (i.e., in the −Z-direction asdepicted in the coordinate axes of FIG. 1), such that carts moving alongthe track 203 move downward in the vertical direction as they travelalong descending portion 202 b. The track 203 at the descending portion202 b may be curved, and may wrap around a second axis that is generallyparallel to the Z-axis depicted in the coordinate axes of FIG. 1,forming a spiral shape around the second axis. In some embodiments, suchas the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the ascending portion 202 a and thedescending portion 202 b may generally form symmetric shapes and may bemirror-images of one another. In other embodiments, the ascendingportion 202 a and the descending portion 202 b may include differentshapes that ascend and descend in the vertical direction, respectively.The ascending portion 202 a and the descending portion 202 b may allowthe track 203 to extend a relatively long distance while occupying acomparatively small footprint evaluated in the Y-direction and theX-direction as depicted in the coordinate axes of FIG. 1, as compared toassembly line grow pods that do not include an ascending portion 202 aand a descending portion 202 b. Minimizing the footprint of the assemblyline grow pod 200 may be advantageous in certain applications, such aswhen the assembly line grow pod 200 is positioned in a crowded urbancenter or in other locations in which space is limited.

Referring to FIG. 2, an enlarged view of the germination hub 100 isschematically depicted. In embodiments, the grow pod system 10 includesa seed silo 103 in selective fluid communication with the germinationhub 100, and a water source 120 in selective fluid communication withthe germination hub 100. More particularly, in the embodiment depictedin FIG. 2, the seed silo 103 is in selective fluid communication withthe germination hub 100 via a silo valve 104 positioned between the seedsilo 103 and the germination hub 100. The silo valve 104 isrepositionable between an open position, in which the seed silo 103 isin fluid communication with the germination hub 100, and a closedposition, in which the seed silo 103 is not in fluid communication withthe germination hub 100. In operation, dry seeds may be positionedwithin the seed silo 103, and the dry seeds may be moved to the one ormore tanks 110 of the germination hub 100 for germination, as describedin greater detail herein. While a single seed silo 103 is depicted inFIG. 2, it should be understood that multiple seed silos may be inselective fluid communication with the germination hub 100. For example,in some embodiments, different types of seeds may be germinated withinthe same germination hub 100, and different seed silos may holddifferent types of dry seeds to be provided to the germination hub 100.Furthermore, in some embodiments, the germination hub 100 may include asilo in selective fluid communication with the secondary tank 114. Forexample, some seeds may require a comparatively short germination time,and may accordingly be introduced to the germination hub at thesecondary tank 114 without initially being germinated in the initialtank 112.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the water source 120 includes areservoir configured to hold a volume of water. In some embodiments,water source 120 may be an external water line, such as a municipalwater line, and/or may be a reservoir in fluid communication with anexternal water line. In embodiments, the water source 120 is inselective fluid communication with the one or more tanks 110. Moreparticularly, in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the water source 120is in fluid communication with the one or more tanks 110 via a watersource valve 122 positioned between the water source 120 and the one ormore tanks 110. The water source valve 122 is repositionable between anopen position, in which the water source 120 is in fluid communicationwith the germination hub 100, and a closed position, in which the watersource 120 is not in fluid communication with the germination hub 100.

In embodiments, the germination hub 100 includes a pump 130 in selectivefluid communication with the one or more tanks 110 and the water source120. In embodiments, the pump 130 may generally include a pump suitablefor moving water and/or seeds, as described in greater detail herein.More particularly, the pump 130 may include a centrifugal pump, adiaphragm pump, a gear pump, a peristaltic pump, a lobe pump, a pistonpump, or the like.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the one or more tanks 110 includesan initial tank 112 and a secondary tank 114 in selective fluidcommunication with the in initial tank 112. In the embodiment depictedin FIG. 2, the initial tank 112 is positioned above the secondary tank114 in the vertical direction. The initial tank 112 and the secondarytank 114 are generally configured to hold seeds and water, and may beformed of a material suitable for holding seed and water, such asstainless steel or the like. As described in greater detail herein,seeds may be germinated in the initial tank 112 and the secondary tank114, and more particularly, a batch of seeds may start germinating inthe initial tank 112, and may subsequently be moved to the secondarytank 114 to continue germinating. By separating the germination processbetween discrete tanks, variation in the germination of seeds in thebatch may be minimized. For example and without being bound by theory,germination may initiate once water contacts a seed, and tanks holdingcomparatively large volumes of seeds, it may be impractical for water tosimultaneously contact all of the seeds as water is introduced into thetank. Instead, water will generally contact the seeds closest to the oneor more locations where water is introduced to the tank, and willsubsequently contact the rest of the seeds in the batch as the tank isfilled with water. In comparatively large tanks, the time between whenwater contacts a first seed of the batch and contact the last seed ofthe batch may be significant, leading to significant differences in theprogress of germination of the seeds within the batch. By contrast, byutilizing comparatively small tanks connected to one another (e.g., theinitial tank 112 and the secondary tank 114) the germination hub 100 maycontinuously germinate seeds without incurring significant variation inthe germination of the seeds.

The germination hub 100 includes a tank outlet valve 116 positionedbetween the initial tank 112 and the secondary tank 114, and a tankoutlet valve 118 positioned below the secondary tank 114. Inembodiments, the tank outlet valve 116 between the initial tank 112 andthe secondary tank 114 selectively connects the initial tank 112 to thesecondary tank 114. More particularly, the tank outlet valve 116 isrepositionable between an open position, in which the initial tank 112and the secondary tank 114 are in fluid communication with one another,and a closed position, in which the initial tank 112 and the secondarytank 114 are not in fluid communication with one another. Similarly, thetank outlet valve 118 connected to the secondary tank 114 selectivelyconnects the secondary tank 114 to a pipe in fluid communication withthe pump 130. More particularly, the tank outlet valve 118 isrepositionable between an open position, in which the secondary tank 114is in fluid communication with the pump 130, and a closed position, inwhich the secondary tank 114 is not in fluid communication with the pump130. By selectively moving the tank outlet valve 118 between the closedposition and the open position, the tank outlet valve 118 mayselectively release seeds from the secondary tank 114, as described ingreater detail herein.

In embodiments, the initial tank 112 and the secondary tank 114 are inselective fluid communication with the pump 130 and the water source 120through tank water valves 124, 126, respectively. The tank water valve124 is repositionable between an open position, in which the initialtank 112 is in fluid communication with the pump 130 and the watersource 120, and a closed position, in which the initial tank 112 is notin fluid communication with the pump 130 and the water source 120.Similarly, the tank water valve 126 is repositionable between an openposition, in which the secondary tank 114 is in fluid communication withthe pump 130 and the water source 120, and a closed position, in whichthe secondary tank 114 is not in fluid communication with the pump 130and the water source 120. By repositioning the tank water valves 124,126 between the open and closed positions and through activation of thepump 130, water may be directed to the initial and secondary tanks 112,114, and water may be drained from the initial and secondary tanks 112,114, as described in greater detail herein. In embodiments, filters orscreens may be positioned between the initial and secondary tanks 112,114 and the tank water valves 124, 126 to prevent seed from passingthrough the tank water valves 124, 126.

In embodiments, the tank water valves 124, 126 are positioned at a lowerportion of the initial tank 112 and the secondary tank 114, such thatwater directed to the initial tank 112 and the secondary tank 114 isintroduced at the lower portion of the initial tank 112 and thesecondary tank 114. As water is introduced to the initial tank 112 andthe secondary tank 114 through the tank water valves 124, 126,respectively, the water moves the seeds upward in the verticaldirection. For example and without being bound by theory, seeds maygenerally be buoyant and may move upward in the vertical direction aswater is introduced through the lower portion of the initial tank 112and the secondary tank 114. The seeds may move upward as a result ofhydrostatic forces acting on the seeds as the water level within theinitial tank 112 and the secondary tank 114 increases. By introducingwater to the seed through the lower portion of the initial tank 112 andthe secondary tank 114, the rising water may mix and agitate the seeds,reducing the clumping of seeds together and/or clumping of seed on sidesof the initial tank 112 and the secondary tank 114, as compared toconfigurations in which water is introduced from the top of the tanks.

Still referring to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the germination hub 100may further include at least one tank level sensor 140. In theembodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the germination hub 100 includes a tanklevel sensor 140 configured to detect a level of material within theinitial tank 112, and another tank level sensor 140 configured to detecta level of material within the secondary tank 114. For example, in theembodiment depicted in FIG. 2, a tank level sensor 140 is engaged withthe initial tank 112 and is configured to detect a level of water and/orseed positioned within the initial tank 112, and another tank levelsensor 140 is engaged with the secondary tank 114 and configured todetect a level of water and/or seed positioned within the secondary tank114. In embodiments, the tank level sensors 140 may include any suitablesensor to detect the level of water and/or seed within the initial tank112 and the secondary tank 114, for example and without limitation,ultrasonic sensors, laser sensors, continuous float level sensors, orthe like.

In embodiments, the germination hub 100 further includes one or moreagitation devices 150. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, thegermination hub 100 includes an agitation device 150 engaged with theinitial tank 112, and another agitation device 150 engaged with thesecondary tank 114. The one or more agitation devices 150 includedevices that are positionable in an activated state, in which theagitation device 150 agitates seeds positioned within the tanks 112,114, and a deactivated state, in which the agitation device 150 is atrest. For example, in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the one or moreagitation devices 150 includes a vibration device 152 coupled to theinitial tank 112, and a vibration device 152 coupled to the secondarytank 114. In the activated state, the vibration device 152 coupled tothe initial tank 112 vibrates the initial tank 112, and the vibrationdevice 152 coupled to the secondary tank 114 vibrates the secondary tank114 in the activated state. By vibrating the initial tank 112 and/or thesecondary tank 114, the vibration devices 152 may assist in agitatingseeds positioned within the initial tank 112 and/or the secondary tank114. By agitating the seeds positioned within the initial tank 112and/or the secondary tank 114, the vibration devices 152 may assist inmoving seeds out of the initial tank 112 and/or the secondary tank 114,as described in greater detail herein.

Referring to FIG. 3, an example top view of the initial tank 112 isschematically depicted. While reference is made herein to the initialtank 112, it should be understood that secondary tank 114 may include asubstantially similar construction. In some embodiments, the agitationdevice 150 includes an engagement member 154 positioned within theinitial tank 112 and/or the secondary tank 114. For example, in someembodiments, the engagement member 154 moves within the initial tank 112and/or the secondary tank 114 in the activated state. More particularly,the engagement member 154 may include a paddle that rotates about acenter of the initial tank 112 and/or the secondary tank 114 in theactivated state. By rotating about the center of the initial tank 112and/or the secondary tank 114, the engagement member 154 may assist inmoving seeds out of the initial tank 112 and/or the secondary tank 114,as described in greater detail herein.

Referring to FIG. 4, a schematic valve control diagram of thegermination hub 100 is schematically depicted. As described above, thegermination hub 100 includes a tank outlet valve 116 positioned betweenthe initial tank 112, and a tank outlet valve 118 positioned below thesecondary tank 114. The germination hub 100 further includes the tankwater valve 126 that selectively connects the secondary tank 114 to thewater source 120 and the pump 130, and the tank water valve 124 thatselectively connects the initial tank 112 to the water source 120 andthe pump 130. Furthermore, the water source 120 is shown in selectivefluid communication with the initial tank 112, the secondary tank 114,and the pump 130 via the water source valve 122. As noted above, thegrow pod system 10 further includes the seed silo 103 that is inselective fluid communication with the germination hub 100 via the silovalve 104.

In embodiments, the germination hub 100 further includes a pump inletvalve 128, and a pump outlet valve 127 that are in fluid communicationwith the pump 130. The pump inlet valve 128 is repositionable between anopen position, in which water and/or seeds may flow into the pump 130through the pump inlet valve 128, and a closed position, in which waterand/or seeds are restricted from flowing into the pump 130 through thepump inlet valve 128. The pump outlet valve 127 may selectively directwater and/or seeds from the pump 130 to the pod line 102, and mayselectively direct water from the pump 130 to the water source 120. Inthe embodiment depicted in FIG. 4, the germination hub 100 furtherincludes a pod line valve 129 that selectively directs water and/orseeds from the pump 130 to the pod line 102, and may selectively directwater from the pump 130 to the initial tank 112 and/or the secondarytank 114.

In embodiments, the grow pod system 10 further includes a controller 170that is communicatively coupled to the pump 130, the pod line valve 129,the pump outlet valve 127, the pump inlet valve 128, the tank watervalves 124, 126, the water source valve 122, and the silo valve 104. Asdescribed in greater detail herein, the controller 170 may selectivelydirect the pump 130, the pod line valve 129, the pump outlet valve 127,the pump inlet valve 128, the tank water valves 124, 126, the watersource valve 122, and the silo valve 104 to move water and seeds throughthe germination hub 100.

For example and referring to FIG. 5, a valve diagram of the grow podsystem 10 is depicted showing water being pumped to the initial tank 112and the secondary tank 114. Initially, a batch of seeds may bepositioned in the initial tank 112. More particularly, the controller170 may direct the silo valve 104 to move from the closed position tothe open position, releasing dry seed from the seed silo 103 to theinitial tank 112, thereby positioning the batch of seeds within theinitial tank 112. In embodiments, batches of seeds may initially bedeposited in the initial tank 112 and may then be moved to the secondarytank 114, as described in greater detail herein. Upon moving a batch ofseeds from the initial tank 112 to the secondary tank 114, another batchof dry seeds may be released from the seed silo 103 for germination.

Water from the water source 120 may be directed to the initial tank 112to wet the batch of seeds within the initial tank 112 and to initiategermination of the batch of seeds. In some embodiments, the water fromthe water source 120 is directed to the initial tank 112 after the batchof seeds are positioned within the initial tank 112. In someembodiments, water from the water source 120 is directed to the initialtank 112 prior to the positioning of the batch of seeds within theinitial tank 112.

To direct water from the water source 120 to the initial tank 112, thecontroller 170 directs the water source valve 122 and the pump inletvalve 128 to reposition from the closed position to the open position.With the water source valve 122 and the pump inlet valve 128 in the openposition, the water source 120 is in fluid communication with the pump130.

The controller 170 further directs the pump 130 to move water from thewater source 120. The controller 170 further directs the pump outletvalve 127 and the pod line valve 129 to direct water moved by the pump130 to the initial tank 112 and the secondary tank 114. The controller170 further directs the tank water valve 124 to reposition from theclosed position to the open position, such that water from the watersource 120 is pumped by the pump 130 to the initial tank 112. In someembodiments, such as embodiments in which it is desirable to directwater to the secondary tank 114 (either alone or simultaneously with thedirection of water to the initial tank 112), the controller 170 directsthe tank water valve 126 to reposition from the closed position to theopen position, such that water from the water source 120 is pumped bythe pump 130 to the secondary tank 114.

In embodiments, the initial tank 112 and/or the secondary tank 114 maybe filled with water until a desired amount of water is positionedwithin the initial tank 112 and the secondary tank 114. In someembodiments, the controller 170 is communicatively coupled to the tanklevel sensors 140 (FIG. 2), which send signals to the controller 170indicative of the level of water and/or seeds positioned within theinitial tank 112 and the secondary tank 114. Without being bound bytheory, to initiate the germination process of the batch of seedspositioned within the initial tank 112, it is desirable to submerge theseeds within the initial tank 112 under water. Likewise, to continue agermination process of seeds positioned within the secondary tank 114,it is desirable to submerge the seeds within the secondary tank 114.Accordingly, in embodiments, the pump 130 may continue to pump waterfrom the water source 120 to the initial tank 112 until the tank levelsensor 140 (FIG. 2) associated with the initial tank 112 detects a levelof water and seeds within the initial tank 112 that indicates the batchof seeds is submerged. Likewise, the pump 130 may continue to pump waterfrom the water source 120 to the secondary tank 114 until the tank levelsensor 140 (FIG. 2) associated with the secondary tank 114 detects alevel of water and seeds within the secondary tank 114 that indicatesthe batch of seeds is submerged.

Once the tank level sensor 140 (FIG. 2) associated with the initial tank112 detects a level of water and seeds within the initial tank 112 thatindicates the batch of seeds is submerged, the controller 170 may directthe tank water valve 124 associated with the initial tank 112 toreposition to the closed position to restrict the flow of more water tothe initial tank 112. Similarly, once the tank level sensor 140 (FIG. 2)associated with the secondary tank 114 detect a level of water and seedswithin the secondary tank 114 that indicates that seeds within thesecondary tank 114 are submerged, the controller 170 may direct the tankwater valve 126 to reposition to the closed position to restrict theflow of more water to the secondary tank 114. Once the tank levelsensors 140 (FIG. 2) associated with both the initial tank 112 and thesecondary tank 114 detect a level of water and seeds within the initialtank 112 and the secondary tank 114 indicating that the seeds within theinitial tank 112 and the secondary tank 114 are submerged, thecontroller 170 directs the pump 130 to cease pumping and directs thewater source valve 122 to close.

The batch of seeds may remain submerged within the initial tank 112 fora predetermined submersion time. As the batch of seeds is submerged inwater, the batch of seeds undergoes a germination process. It isgenerally desirable in the germination process to drain the watersubmerging the batch of seeds, such that the seeds may dry and beexposed to oxygen to continue the germination process.

Referring to FIG. 6, to drain water from the initial tank 112 and/or thesecondary tank 114, the controller 170 directs the tank water valve 124associated with the initial tank 112 to reposition from the closedposition to the open position. The controller 170 may further direct thetank water valve 126 associated with the secondary tank 114 toreposition from the closed position to the open position.

The controller 170 further directs the pod line valve 129 to directwater drained from the initial tank 112 and the secondary tank 114 tothe pump inlet valve 128, and the controller 170 directs the pump inletvalve 128 to reposition from the closed position to the open position.With the pump inlet valve 128 in the open position, water drained fromthe initial tank 112 and the secondary tank 114 moves through the tankwater valve 124 and the tank water valve 126, respectively, through thepump inlet valve 128, to the pump 130.

The controller 170 directs the pump 130 to pump the water drained fromthe initial tank 112 and the secondary tank 114 back to the water source120. More particularly, the controller 170 directs the water sourcevalve 122 to reposition from the closed position to the open position,and the pump 130 moves water drained from the initial tank 112 and thesecondary tank 114 to the water source 120. In some embodiments, thewater source 120 includes a filter 121 that filters water returning tothe water source 120 from the initial tank 112 and the secondary tank114. The filter 121 may include one or more particulate filters, such asscreens or the like, that prevent particulate matter from flowing intothe water source 120 from the initial tank 112 and the secondary tank114. In some embodiments, the filter 121 may include components thatreduce waterborne microorganisms in the water returning to the watersource 120, such as an ultraviolet (UV) filter or the like.

In embodiments, the pump 130 may continue to pump water from the initialtank 112 and the secondary tank 114 until substantially all of the waterin the initial tank 112 and the secondary tank 114 are pumped out of theinitial tank 112 and the secondary tank 114. In some embodiments, thepump 130 includes one or more devices that detect the output of the pump130, and the controller 170 may determine that substantially all of thewater in the initial tank 112 and the secondary tank 114 has been pumpedout by detecting a decreased output of the pump 130. For example, insome embodiments, the pump 130 may be driven by an electric motorincluding or communicatively coupled to a variable frequency drive(VFD). In these embodiments, the VFD may detect power drawn by the pump130, which generally corresponds to water and/or seeds pumped by thepump 130. When draining water from the initial tank 112 and thesecondary tank 114, when the power drawn by the pump 130 drops below apredetermined power value, the controller 170 may determine thatsubstantially all of the water has been pumped out of the initial tank112 and the secondary tank 114.

Upon determining that substantially all of the water has been pumped outof the initial tank 112 and the secondary tank 114, in embodiments, thecontroller 170 directs the pump 130 to cease pumping. The controller 170further directs the tank water valves 124, 126 to reposition from theopen position to the closed position, and directs the water source valve122 to move from the open position to the closed position.

With the water drained from the initial tank 112 and the secondary tank114, the batch of seeds residing in the initial tank 112 may remain fora predetermined breathing time. After the predetermined breathing time,water from the water source 120 may again be directed to the initialtank 112 and/or the secondary tank 114 to wet the batch of seeds, asdescribed above with respect to FIG. 6.

In embodiments, water may be selectively directed to and pumped out ofthe initial tank 112 as described above to wet the batch of seeds andallow the batch of seeds to breathe. After a predetermined initial time,the batch of seeds within the initial tank 112 are moved to thesecondary tank 114 to continue germinating, and another batch of dryseeds are positioned in the initial tank 112 to begin the germinationprocess.

In particular and referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, after the predeterminedinitial time, the controller 170 directs the tank outlet valve 116positioned between the initial tank 112 and the secondary tank 114 toreposition from the closed position to the open position such that theinitial tank 112 and the secondary tank 114 are in fluid communicationwith one another. In embodiments, the initial tank 112 is positionedabove the secondary tank 114 in the vertical direction, such that thebatch of seeds within the initial tank 112 may move to the secondarytank 114 under the force of gravity.

In embodiments, the tank level sensor 140 associated with the initialtank 112 may confirm that substantially all of the seed positioned inthe initial tank 112 successfully move to the secondary tank 114. Moreparticularly, in embodiments, the tank level sensor 140 associated withthe initial tank 112 sends a signal to the controller 170 indicative ofa level of seeds remaining in the initial tank 112. The controller 170may then determine whether the received signal from the tank levelsensor 140 indicates a level of seeds remaining in the initial tank 112is greater than a predetermined threshold. In some embodiments, thepredetermined threshold represents a volume of seeds remaining in thetank. For example, the predetermined threshold may be about 19 liters ofseeds remaining in the initial tank 112. In some embodiments, thepredetermined threshold may be selected to be a percentage of the seedsinitially positioned in the initial tank 112. For example, in someembodiments, the predetermined threshold may be 15% of batch of seedsinitially positioned in the initial tank 112.

Upon determining that the level of seeds remaining in the initial tank112 is greater than the predetermined threshold, the controller 170 maydirect the pump 130 to move water from the water source 120 to theinitial tank 112, as described above with respect to FIG. 5. The waterfrom the water source 120 may act to dislodge seeds within the initialtank 112, such that the seeds may move to the secondary tank 114.

In some embodiments, in response to determining that the level of seedsremaining in the initial tank 112 is greater than the predeterminedthreshold, the controller 170 may direct the agitation device 150coupled to the initial tank 112 to activate. In embodiments in which theagitation device 150 includes the vibration device 152, the agitationdevice 150 vibrates the initial tank 112 when activated. In embodimentsin which the agitation device 150 includes the engagement member 154(FIG. 3) including the paddle positioned within the initial tank 112,the controller 170 directs the engagement member 154 to rotate withinthe initial tank 112 to dislodge the remaining seeds in the initial tank112.

After directing water to the initial tank 112 to dislodge seeds withinthe initial tank 112 and/or after activating the agitation device 150,the tank level sensor 140 associated with the initial tank 112 may againdetect the level of seeds remaining in the initial tank 112, and sends asecond signal to the controller 170 indicative of the level of seedsremaining in the initial tank 112. In embodiments, the controller 170determines whether the second signal from the tank level sensor 140indicates that the level of seeds remaining in the initial tank 112 isstill greater than the predetermined threshold. Upon determining thatthe detected level of seeds remaining in the initial tank 112 is stillgreater than the predetermined threshold, the controller 170 may send analarm signal to a user computing device, as described in greater detailherein.

With the batch of seeds positioned in the secondary tank 114, the batchof seeds may remain in the secondary tank 114 for a predeterminedsecondary time to continue to germinate the batch of seeds. Further,with the initial tank 112 vacated, the controller 170 may direct thetank outlet valve 116 to reposition from the open position to the closedposition, and may direct the silo valve 104 to reposition from theclosed position to the open position to release a second batch of dryseeds from the seed silo 103 to the initial tank 112.

As the batch of seeds resides in the secondary tank 114, water may beselectively moved to the secondary tank 114 and pumped out of thesecondary tank 114 as described above with respect to FIGS. 5 and 6 towet the batch of seeds and allow the batch of seeds to breathe.

Once the batch of seeds has resided in the secondary tank 114 for thepredetermined secondary time, the batch of seeds may be pumped to thepod line 102. In particular and referring to FIG. 7, once the batch ofseeds has resided in the secondary tank 114 for the predeterminedsecondary time, in embodiments, the controller 170 directs the tankoutlet valve 118 associated with the secondary tank 114 to repositionfrom the closed position to the open position. The controller 170further directs the water source valve 122 and the pump inlet valve 128to reposition from the closed position to the open position. With thewater source valve 122, the pump inlet valve 128, and the tank outletvalve 118 associated with the secondary tank 114 in the open position,the secondary tank 114 and the water source 120 are in fluidcommunication with the pump 130.

With the secondary tank 114 and the water source 120 in fluidcommunication with the pump 130, the controller 170, in embodiments,directs the pump 130 move water and seed from the water source 120 andthe secondary tank 114 to the pod line 102. In particular, in theembodiment depicted in FIG. 7, the controller 170 directs the pumpoutlet valve 127 and the pod line valve 129 to direct water and seedpumped by the pump 130 to the pod line 102.

In embodiments, it is generally desirable to maintain a minimum ratio ofwater to seeds passing through the pump 130. For example, in embodimentsin which the pump 130 includes a centrifugal pump, the pump 130 may beselected such that individual seeds may pass between the impeller of thepump 130 and a housing of the pump 130 and/or between impeller blades ofthe pump 130. By maintaining a relatively high ratio of water to seedspassing through the pump 130, contact between the seeds and the impellerand/or housing of the pump 130 may be minimized, thereby reducing and/orminimizing damage to the seed as it passes through the pump 130. Bycontrast, if a comparatively low ratio of water to seeds passes throughthe pump 130, the seeds may contact the impeller and/or the housing ofthe pump 130, which may cause damage to the seeds and may in someinstances render the seeds unusable. In embodiments, the ratio of waterto seeds provided to the pump 130 from the secondary tank 114 and thewater source 120 is about 4:1. In some embodiments, the ratio of waterto seeds provided to the pump 130 from the secondary tank 114 and thewater source 120 is about 5:1. In still other embodiments, the ratio ofwater to seeds provided to the pump 130 from the secondary tank 114 andthe water source 120 is about 6:1.

In embodiments, the ratio of water to seeds provided to the pump 130 maybe monitored and adjusted. For example, the tank level sensor 140 (FIG.2) associated with the secondary tank 114 may detect a change in thelevel of the seeds released from the secondary tank 114, the level ofseeds released correlating to a volume of seeds released from thesecondary tank 114. The controller 170 is communicatively coupled to thetank level sensor 140 (FIG. 2) associated with the secondary tank 114,and may receive a signal from the tank level sensor 140 indicative ofthe volume of seeds released from the secondary tank 114. Inembodiments, the controller 170 determines whether the volume of seedsreleased from the secondary tank 114 exceeds a predetermined threshold.In response to determining that the volume of seeds released from thesecondary tank 114 is above the predetermined threshold, the controller170 may direct one or more devices to increase a pressure of water atthe water source 120. For example, the controller 170 may direct a valvein communication with the water source 120 and a water line connected tothe water source 120 to move to an open position, increasing the volumeof water in the water source 120, thereby increasing the pressure of thewater at the water source 120. In response to determining that thevolume of seeds released from the secondary tank 114 is below thepredetermined threshold, the controller 170 may direct one or moredevices to decrease a pressure of water at the water source 120. Forexample, the controller 170 may direct a valve in communication with thewater source 120 to move to an open position, releasing water from thewater source 120, thereby decreasing the pressure of the water at thewater source 120.

Without being bound by theory, the ratio of water to seeds provided tothe pump 130 by the water source 120 and the secondary tank 114 isinfluenced by the relative pressure of water at the water source 120 andthe pressure of seeds at the secondary tank 114. More particularly, bydecreasing the relative pressure of the water at the water source 120 inrelation to the pressure of the seeds at the secondary tank 114 mayincrease the release of seeds from the secondary tank 114. By contrast,by increasing the relative pressure of water at the water source 120 inrelation to the pressure of seeds at the secondary tank 114 may decreasethe release of seed from the secondary tank 114. In this way, byselectively increasing or decreasing the pressure of water at the watersource 120 based on the detected volume of seeds released from thesecondary tank 114, the controller 170 may change the ratio of water toseeds that is provided to the pump 130.

The pump 130 may pump the seeds and water through the pod line 102 toone or more assembly line grow pods 200 (FIG. 1). More particularly andreferring to FIG. 8, the pump 130 may pump the water and seeds throughthe pod line 102 to a seeder assembly 202 positioned at an assembly linegrow pod 200. While the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8 shows the pump 130in fluid communication with one seeder assembly 202 through the pod line102, it should be understood that the pump 130 may be in fluidcommunication with multiple seeder assemblies 202. Moreover, while asingle seeder assembly 202 of one of the assembly line grow pods 200 isschematically depicted, it should be understood that other assembly linegrow pods 200 in fluid communication with germination hub 100 may besubstantially the same.

The seeder assembly 202 generally includes one or more tanks 210 influid communication with the pod line 102. In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 8, the seeder assembly 202 generally includes a germination tank212 that is in fluid communication with the pod line 102, and a seedertank 214 that is in selective fluid communication with the germinationtank 212. In embodiments, the germination tank 212 and the seeder tank214 may be substantially similar to the initial tank 112 and thesecondary tank 114 of the germination hub 100. In particular, thegermination tank 212 and the seeder tank 214 may be formed of a suitablematerial to hold seed and water, such as stainless steel or the like.Additionally, the germination tank 212 and the seeder tank 214 mayinclude associated tank level sensors 140 to detect the level of seedand/or water positioned within the germination tank 212 and the seedertank 214. In some embodiments, the germination tank 212 and the seedertank 214 further include associated agitation devices 150, such asassociated vibration devices 152 and/or engagement members 154 (FIG. 3)positioned within the germination tank 212 and the seeder tank 214.

In embodiments, the germination tank 212 defines an upper portion and alower portion positioned below the upper portion in a verticaldirection. The germination tank 212 comprises a tank water valve 222positioned at the lower portion of the germination tank 212 and the pump130 is connected to the germination tank 212 through the tank watervalve 222. Like the tank water valves 124, 126 of the germination hub100, by positioning the tank water valve 222 at the lower portion of thegermination tank 212, water introduced to the germination tank 212through the tank water valve 222 may agitate seeds positioned within thegermination tank 212.

In embodiments, the germination tank 212 further comprises a wateroutlet 224 positioned at the upper portion of the germination tank 212.The water outlet 224 is in fluid communication with the pump 130 and thewater source 120. In embodiments, as water and seeds are moved to thegermination tank 212 via the pod line 102 the seeds may generally settleto the lower portion of the germination tank 212. Excess waterpositioned within the germination tank 212 may flow out of thegermination tank 212 via the water outlet 224.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8, the seeder tank 214 is positionedbelow the germination tank 212 in the vertical direction. Thegermination tank 212 is connected to the seeder tank 214 through a tankoutlet valve 216. The tank outlet valve 216 is repositionable between anopen position, in which the germination tank 212 is in fluidcommunication with the seeder tank 214, and a closed position, in whichthe germination tank 212 is not in fluid communication with the seedertank 214. In embodiments, the tank outlet valve 216 is communicativelycoupled to the controller 170, which may selectively direct the tankoutlet valve 216 to reposition between the open position and the closedposition Like the tank outlet valve 116 between the initial tank 112 andthe secondary tank 114, seed in the germination tank 212 may be moved tothe seeder tank 214 by selectively opening the tank outlet valve 216.

As noted above, in embodiments, seeds and water are moved to thegermination tank 212 via the pod line 102. The seeds remain in thegermination tank 212 for a predetermined amount of time, and continuegerminating. Similar to the initial tank 112 and the secondary tank 114as described above with respect to FIGS. 5 and 6, the pump 130 mayselectively direct water to and drain water from the germination tank212 via the selective actuation of the pump 130 and the tank water valve222.

Once the seeds have resided in the germination tank 212 for thepredetermined amount of time, the controller 170 may direct the tankoutlet valve 216 to release the seeds to the seeder tank 214.

In embodiments, the seeder assembly 202 includes a metering device 220in fluid communication with the seeder tank 214. In embodiments, themetering device 220 is communicatively coupled to the controller 170 andmay operate to controllably release the seeds from the seeder tank 214to a gantry 226 positioned below the metering device 220. The meteringdevice 220 may include any suitable device for releasing seeds from theseeder tank 214, for example and without limitation, a rotary vane pumpor the like.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8, the seeder assembly 202 includes areceptacle 228 positioned below the gantry 226 and the metering device220. The receptacle 228 is in fluid communication with the water source120 and may collect water runoff from the gantry 226 as seeds aredeposited on the gantry 226.

Referring to FIG. 9, the gantry 226 is schematically depicted over acart 305 of the assembly line grow pod 200. In embodiments, the gantry226 and the metering device 220 (FIG. 8) are positioned over the cart orcarts 305 of the assembly line grow pod 200. The gantry 226 isconfigured dispense seeds to one or more carts 305 as the carts 305 passthrough a seeding region of the assembly line grow pod 200. While asingle assembly line grow pod 200 is schematically depicted in FIG. 9,it should be understood that all of the assembly line grow pods 200 influid communication with the germination hub 100 may be substantiallythe same and may include carts 305 including substantially the samefeatures.

In some embodiments, each of the carts 305 includes a single sectiontray for receiving a plurality of seeds. In other embodiments one ormore of the carts 305 may include a multiple section tray for receivingindividual seeds in each section. In the embodiments with a singlesection tray, upon a cart 305 entering the seeding region, the gantry226 may begin laying seed across an area of the single section tray. Theseeds may be laid out according to various criteria, such as a desireddepth of seed, a desired number of seeds, a desired surface area ofseeds, or the like. In the embodiments where a multiple section tray isutilized with one or more of the carts 305, the gantry 226 may beconfigured to individually insert seeds into one or more of the sectionsof the tray. Again, the seeds may be distributed on the tray accordingto a desired number of seeds, a desired area the seeds should cover, adesired depth of seeds, etc.

As depicted in FIG. 9, a plurality of carts 305 is depicted movingthrough the seeding region. The carts 305 include weight sensors 310that are configured to detect a weight of seeds held within the trays ofthe carts 305. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 9, the weight sensors310 are positioned in the trays of the separate carts 305, and each ofthe carts 305 include multiple weight sensors 310. In embodiments inwhich the carts 305 include multiple weight sensors 310, the weightsensors 310 may be positioned at different positions within the tray,such that each of the weight sensors 310 may detect the weight of seedsat different positions within the tray. In some applications, it may bedesirable to grow different types of plant matter within a single tray,such as in instances where the trays include different and discretesections. In these applications, the different weight sensors 310 may beconfigured to detect the weights of the different types of plant matterat different positions within the tray. While the embodiment depicted inFIG. 9 shows carts 305 including multiple weight sensors 310, it shouldbe understood that each of the carts 305 may include a single weightsensor 310, or may optionally not include any weight sensors 310.

In some embodiments, each of the carts 305 further includes a cartcomputing device 312. The cart computing devices 312 may becommunicatively coupled to the weight sensors 310 and are configured toreceive signals indicative of a detected weight from the weight sensors310. The cart computing devices 312 may also be communicatively coupledto the controller 170 through a network 850.

In some embodiments, one or more weight sensors 311 may be placed on orbeneath the track 203. The weight sensors 311 are configured to measurethe weights of the carts 305 on the track 203 and transmit signalsindicative of a detected weight to the controller 170. In embodiments,the controller 170 may determine the weight of seeds on a cart 305 basedon a detected weight from the weight sensors 311 and a known weight ofthe cart 305 (i.e., the weight of the cart 305 without plant matter).

Referring collectively to FIGS. 8 and 9, in embodiments, the weightsensors 311, the weight sensors 310, the metering device 220, and or atank level sensor 140 associated with the seeder tank 214 may monitorthe amount of seeds released from the seeder tank 214. In operation, themetering device 220 controllably releases seeds to the gantry 226 fordeposition within a tray of a cart 305, such that a predetermined amountof seeds are deposited within each cart 305. As the metering device 220releases seeds from the seeder tank 214, a tank level sensor 140associated with the seeder tank 214 may detect the amount of seedleaving the seeder tank 214. If the rate of change of the level of seedin the seeder tank 214 exceeds a predetermined desired rate, thecontroller 170 may direct the metering device 220 to slow the rate ofthe release of seeds from the seeder tank 214. If the rate of change ofthe level of seed in the seeder tank 214 is below the predetermineddesired rate, the controller 170 may direct the metering device 220 toincrease the rate of the release of seeds from the seeder tank 214. Insome embodiments, the controller 170 may direct the metering device 220to cease releasing seed to the gantry 226, for example, in response todetecting that the volume of seeds released from the seeder tank 214exceeds the desired amount of seeds in the cart 305.

In embodiments, the weight sensors 311 in the track 203 and/or theweight sensors 310 in the carts 305 may detect the weight of seedsdeposited in the cart 305 and the controller 170 may direct the meteringdevice 220 to increase or decrease the release of seeds from the seedertank 214 in response to a detected weight of seed within the cart 305from the weight sensors 311 in the track 203 and/or the weight sensors310 of the carts 305.

In this way, the release of seeds from the seeder tank 214 may beselectively increased or decreased to ensure that the predeterminedamount of seeds is deposited within each cart 305. In some embodiments,the release of seeds from the seeder tank 214 may be selectivelyincreased or decreased to ensure that the seeder tank 214 is emptiedwithin a predetermined amount of time. For example, to ensure that seedswithin the seeder tank 214 and the germination tank 212 germinate for anappropriate amount of time and do not over or under germinate beforedeposition into the carts 305, it is desirable to vacate the seeder tank214 within a predetermined amount of time so that seeds from thegermination tank 212 may be moved to the seeder tank 214 for depositioninto the carts 305. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the controller 170may direct the metering device 220 to increase or decrease the releaseof seeds from the seeder tank 214 in response to determining that theseeder tank 214 will not be emptied at the predetermined amount of timebased on the detected rate of change of the volume of seed in the seedertank 214 as detected by the tank level sensor 140. Similarly, in someembodiments, the controller 170 may direct the metering device 220 toincrease or decrease the release of seeds from the seeder tank 214 inresponse to determining that the seeder tank 214 will not be emptied atthe predetermined amount of time based on the detected weight of seeddeposited in the carts 305 as detected by the weight sensors 311 in thetrack 203 and/or the weight sensors 310 in the carts 305.

The controller 170 may include a computing device 172. The computingdevice 172 may include a memory component 840, which stores systemslogic 844 a and plant logic 844 b. As described in more detail below,the systems logic 844 a may monitor and control operations of one ormore of the components of the assembly line grow pod 200 and/or thegermination hub 100 (FIG. 2). The plant logic 844 b may be configured todetermine and/or receive a stored recipe for plant growth and mayfacilitate implementation of the recipe via the systems logic 844 a. Thecontroller 170 is coupled to a network 850. The network 850 may includethe internet or other wide area network, a local network, such as alocal area network, a near field network, such as Bluetooth or a nearfield communication (NFC) network. The network 850 is also coupled to auser computing device 852 and/or a remote computing device 854. The usercomputing device 852 may include a personal computer, laptop, mobiledevice, tablet, phablet, mobile device, or the like and may be utilizedas an interface with a user. As an example, a detected weight of seedswithin each of the carts 305 may be transmitted to the user computingdevice 852, and a display of the user computing device 852 may displaythe weight for each of the carts 305. The user computing device 852 mayalso receive input from a user, for example, the user computing device852 may receive an input indicative of a type of seeds to be placed inthe carts 305 by the gantry 226.

Similarly, the remote computing device 854 may include a server,personal computer, tablet, phablet, mobile device, server, or the like,and may be utilized for machine to machine communications. As anexample, if the controller 170 determines a type of seeds being used(and/or other information, such as ambient conditions), the controller170 may communicate with the remote computing device 854 to retrieve apreviously stored recipe (i.e., predetermined preferred growingconditions, such as water/nutrient requirements, lighting requirements,temperature requirements, humidity requirements, or the like). As such,some embodiments may utilize an application program interface (API) tofacilitate this or other computer-to-computer communications.

FIG. 10 depicts the computing device 172 of the controller 170,according to embodiments described herein. As illustrated, the computingdevice 172 includes a processor 930, input/output hardware 932, thenetwork interface hardware 934, a data storage component 936 (whichstores systems data 938 a, plant data 938 b, and/or other data), and thememory component 840. The memory component 840 may be configured asvolatile and/or nonvolatile memory and as such, may include randomaccess memory (including SRAM, DRAM, and/or other types of RAM), flashmemory, secure digital (SD) memory, registers, compact discs (CD),digital versatile discs (DVD), bernoulli cartridges, and/or other typesof non-transitory computer-readable mediums. Depending on the particularembodiment, these non-transitory computer-readable mediums may residewithin the computing device 172 and/or external to the computing device172.

The memory component 840 may store operating logic 942, the systemslogic 844 a, and the plant logic 844 b. The systems logic 844 a and theplant logic 844 b may each include a plurality of different pieces oflogic, each of which may be embodied as a computer program, firmware,and/or hardware, as an example. The computing device 172 furtherincludes a local interface 946 that may be implemented as a bus or othercommunication interface to facilitate communication among the componentsof the computing device 172.

The processor 930 may include any processing component operable toreceive and execute instructions (such as from a data storage component936 and/or the memory component 840). The input/output hardware 932 mayinclude and/or be configured to interface with microphones, speakers, adisplay, and/or other hardware.

The network interface hardware 934 may include and/or be configured forcommunicating with any wired or wireless networking hardware, includingan antenna, a modem, LAN port, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) card, WiMaxcard, ZigBee card, Bluetooth chip, USB card, mobile communicationshardware, and/or other hardware for communicating with other networksand/or devices. From this connection, communication may be facilitatedbetween the computing device 172 and other computing devices, such asthe user computing device 852 and/or remote computing device 854.

The operating logic 942 may include an operating system and/or othersoftware for managing components of the computing device 172. As alsodiscussed above, systems logic 844 a and the plant logic 844 b mayreside in the memory component 840 and may be configured to perform thefunctionality, as described herein.

It should be understood that while the components in FIG. 10 areillustrated as residing within the computing device 172, this is merelyan example. In some embodiments, one or more of the components mayreside external to the computing device 172. It should also beunderstood that, while the computing device 172 is illustrated as asingle device, this is also merely an example. In some embodiments, thesystems logic 844 a and the plant logic 844 b may reside on differentcomputing devices. As an example, one or more of the functionalitiesand/or components described herein may be provided by the user computingdevice 852 and/or remote computing device 854.

Additionally, while the computing device 172 is illustrated with thesystems logic 844 a and the plant logic 844 b as separate logicalcomponents, this is also an example. In some embodiments, a single pieceof logic (and/or or several linked modules) may cause the computingdevice 172 to provide the described functionality.

Referring collectively to FIGS. 4, 8, 9, and 11, a method forgerminating seeds is schematically depicted. In a first block 1102, afirst batch of seeds is positioned within the initial tank 112. At block1104, water from the water source 120 is directed to the initial tank112. At block 1106, the first batch of seeds is wetted within theinitial tank 112 with the water from the water source 120, initiatinggermination of the first batch of seeds. At block 1108, the first batchof seeds are moved from the initial tank 112 to the secondary tank 114in fluid communication with the initial tank 112 after a predeterminedinitial time. At block 1110, subsequent to moving the first batch ofseeds from the initial tank 112, a second batch of seeds are positionedwithin the initial tank 112. At block 1112 water from the water source120 is directed to the initial tank 112. At block 1114, the second batchof seeds within the initial tank 112 are wetted with the water from thewater source 120, initiating germination of the second batch of seeds.At block 1116, the first batch of seeds from the secondary tank 114 aremoved to the pod line 102 that is in fluid communication with anassembly line grow pod 200 after a predetermined secondary time. Atblock 1118, the first batch of seeds is positioned in one or more carts305 of the assembly line grow pod 200.

As described above, blocks 1102-1118 may be performed by the controller170 in conjunction with components communicatively coupled to thecontroller 170.

Referring collectively to FIGS. 4, 8, 9, and 12, a method for managingthe movement of wetted seeds from a tank is schematically depicted. In afirst block 1202, a first batch of seeds is positioned within a tank(the initial tank 112 or the secondary tank 114). At block 1204, waterfrom a water source 120 is directed to the tank 112, 114. At block 1206,the first batch of seeds within the tank 112, 114 is wetted with thewater from the water source 120, initiating germination of the firstbatch of seeds. At block 1206, the first batch of seeds is released fromthe tank 112, 114 to a pod line 102 in fluid communication with anassembly line grow pod 200 after a predetermined tie. At block 1210,subsequent to releasing the first batch of seeds from the tank 112, 114,a level of seeds remaining in the tank 112, 114 is detected. Asdescribed above, blocks 1202-1210 may be performed by the controller 170in conjunction with components communicatively coupled to the controller170.

Referring collectively to FIGS. 4, 8, 9, and 13, a method for movingwetted seeds is schematically depicted. In a first block 1302, seeds aregerminated within a tank (the initial tank 112 or the secondary tank114). At block 1304, the seeds from the tank 112, 114 are released to apipe in fluid communication with the tank 112, 114 and in fluidcommunication with the pump 130. At block 1306, water from the watersource 120 is moved to the pipe in fluid communication with the pump130. At block 1308, the seeds released from the tank 112, 114 arecombined with the water from the water source 120 in the pipe. At block1310, the combination of the seeds released from the tank 112, 114 andthe water from the water source 120 are pumped to the grow pod line 102in fluid communication with the pump 130. At block 1312, the seeds fromthe grow pod line 102 are moved to one or more carts 305 of the assemblyline grow pod 200. As described above, blocks 1202-1210 may be performedby the controller 170 in conjunction with components communicativelycoupled to the controller 170.

It should be now understood that embodiments described herein aredirected to systems and methods for germinating seeds for assembly linegrow pods. By initiating the germination process at a germination hub,the time required to produce mature plants at the assembly line grow podmay be reduced.

Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value,and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range isexpressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular valueand/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values areexpressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it willbe understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. Itwill be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges aresignificant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently ofthe other endpoint.

Directional terms as used herein—for example up, down, right, left,front, back, top, bottom—are made only with reference to the figures asdrawn and are not intended to imply absolute orientation.

Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that anymethod set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps beperformed in a specific order, nor that with any apparatus specificorientations be required. Accordingly, where a method claim does notactually recite an order to be followed by its steps, or that anyapparatus claim does not actually recite an order or orientation toindividual components, or it is not otherwise specifically stated in theclaims or description that the steps are to be limited to a specificorder, or that a specific order or orientation to components of anapparatus is not recited, it is in no way intended that an order ororientation be inferred, in any respect. This holds for any possiblenon-express basis for interpretation, including: matters of logic withrespect to arrangement of steps, operational flow, order of components,or orientation of components; plain meaning derived from grammaticalorganization or punctuation, and; the number or type of embodimentsdescribed in the specification.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include pluralreferents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, forexample, reference to “a” component includes aspects having two or moresuch components, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to the embodiments describedherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimedsubject matter. Thus it is intended that the specification cover themodifications and variations of the various embodiments described hereinprovided such modification and variations come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for pumping seeds to an assembly linegrow pod, the method comprising: releasing seeds to a pipe in fluidcommunication with a pump; moving water from a water source to the pipein fluid communication with the pump; combining the seeds released fromthe tank with the water from the water source in the pipe; and passingthe combination of seed released from the tank and the water releasedfrom the water source through the pump, thereby pumping the combinationof the seeds released from the tank and the water from the water sourceto a grow pod line in fluid communication with the pump; and moving theseeds from the grow pod line to one or more carts of an assembly linegrow pod.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, subsequent topumping the combination of seeds and the water from the water source,positioning the seeds and the water in a tank at the assembly line growpod.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising draining excess waterfrom the tank at the assembly line grow pod.
 4. The method of claim 3,wherein draining the excess water from the tank at the assembly linegrow pod comprises draining the excess water through a water outletpositioned at an upper portion of the tank.
 5. The method of claim 1,further comprising: detecting a volume of seeds released to the pipe;determining whether the volume of seeds released to the pipe is above apredetermined threshold; in response to determining that the volume ofseeds released to the pipe is above the predetermined threshold,increasing a pressure of water at the water source.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: detecting a volume of seeds released from atank; determining whether the volume of seeds released from the tank isbelow a predetermined threshold; in response to determining that thevolume of seeds released from the tank is below the predeterminedthreshold, decreasing a pressure of water at the water source.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the combination of seeds and the water fromthe water source comprises a ratio of about at least 4 parts water toabout 1 part seed by volume.
 8. A method for moving germinated seeds toan assembly line grow pod, the method comprising: germinating seedswithin a tank at a germination hub; releasing the seeds from the tank toa pipe in fluid communication with the tank and in fluid communicationwith a pump; moving water from a water source to the pipe in fluidcommunication with the pump; combining the seeds released from the tankwith the water from the water source in the pipe; passing thecombination of seed released from the tank and the water released fromthe water source through the pump, thereby pumping the combination ofthe seeds released from the tank and the water from the water source toa grow pod line in fluid communication with the pump; and moving theseeds from the grow pod line to one or more carts of an assembly linegrow pod.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising, subsequent topumping the combination of seeds released from the tank at thegermination hub and the water from the water source, positioning theseeds and the water from the water source in a tank at the assembly linegrow pod.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising draining excesswater from the tank at the assembly line grow pod.
 11. The method ofclaim 10, wherein draining the excess water from the tank at theassembly line grow pod comprises draining the excess water through awater outlet positioned at an upper portion of the tank at the assemblyline grow pod.
 12. The method of claim 8, further comprising: detectinga volume of seeds released from the tank; determining whether the volumeof seeds released from the tank is above a predetermined threshold; inresponse to determining that the volume of seeds released from the tankis above the predetermined threshold, increasing a pressure of water atthe water source.
 13. The method of claim 8, further comprising:detecting a volume of seeds released from the tank; determining whetherthe volume of seeds released from the tank is below a predeterminedthreshold; in response to determining that the volume of seeds releasedfrom the tank is below the predetermined threshold, decreasing apressure of water at the water source.
 14. The method of claim 8,wherein germinating the seeds within the tank comprises directing waterfrom the water source to the tank and wetting the seeds.
 15. The methodof claim 8, wherein germinating the seeds comprises retaining the seedswithin the tank subsequent to wetting the seeds and prior to releasingthe seeds to the pipe.
 16. The method of claim 8, wherein thecombination of seeds released from the tank and the water from the watersource comprises a ratio of at least about 4 parts water to 1 part seedby volume.
 17. A system for an assembly line grow pod, the systemcomprising: a germination hub comprising: a tank; a tank water valve influid communication with the tank, wherein the tank water valve isrepositionable between a closed position and an open position; a watersource in selective fluid communication with the tank through the tankwater valve; a pump in selective fluid communication with the tank andthe water source; a water source valve positioned between the pump andthe water source, wherein the water source valve is repositionablebetween an open position and a closed position; and a tank outlet valvepositioned between the tank and the pump, wherein the tank outlet valveis repositionable between an open position and a closed position; a podline in selective fluid communication with the germination hub; and acontroller communicatively coupled to the tank water valve, the pump,the water source valve, and the tank outlet valve, the controllercomprising a processor and a computer readable and executableinstruction set, which when executed, causes the processor to: directthe tank water valve to move from the closed position to the openposition; direct the pump to move water from the water source to thetank through the tank water valve, wetting a first batch of seeds withinthe tank with the water from the water source, initiating germination ofthe first batch of seeds; after a predetermined time, direct the tankoutlet valve to move from the closed position to the open position,releasing the first batch of seeds from the tank to pass the combinationof seed released from the tank and the water released from the watersource through the pump; direct the water source valve to move from theclosed position, releasing water from the water source to the pump; anddirect the pump to move the first batch of seeds to the pod line and thewater from the water source to the pod line.
 18. The system of claim 17,further comprising a tank level sensor communicatively coupled to thecontroller, and wherein the executable instruction set, when executed,further causes the processor to: receive a signal from the tank levelsensor indicative of a volume of seeds released from the tank; determinewhether the volume of seeds released from the tank is above apredetermined threshold; in response to determining that the volume ofseeds released from the tank is above the predetermined threshold,direct the water source to increase a pressure of water at the watersource.
 19. The system of claim 17, further comprising a tank levelsensor communicatively coupled to the controller, and wherein theexecutable instruction set, when executed, further causes the processorto: receive a signal from the tank level sensor indicative of a volumeof seeds released from the tank; determine whether the volume of seedsreleased from the tank is above a predetermined threshold; in responseto determining that the volume of seeds released from the tank is belowthe predetermined threshold, release water from the water source todecrease a pressure of water at the water source.
 20. The system ofclaim 17, wherein the combination of seeds released from the tank andthe water from the water source comprises a ratio of at least about 4parts water to 1 part seed by volume.